My Threadstag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-16300582011-06-27T09:40:32-07:00Sewing, quilting, crafts and ordinary moments in the world of
Nancy TokarzTypePadFinishing a quilt and photography issuestag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551e74f168833014e896ce269970d2011-06-27T09:40:32-07:002011-06-27T09:40:32-07:00I finally finished my aqua and brown quilt - yes, I quilted it myself. It's usually slow going because I have so many stops and starts. Rarely do I have a big block of time to just quilt. I have...Nancy Tokarz

I finally finished my aqua and brown quilt - yes, I quilted it myself. It's usually slow going because I have so many stops and starts. Rarely do I have a big block of time to just quilt. I have to work it in when I can, usually weekends and occasional evenings. But, when I finally get to the binding stage, it's a wonderful light at the end of that particular quilting tunnel. I love the binding process, which a lot of people don't. I thinks it's because I always do it by hand, and I love handsewing. Now to photograph the quilt. I've taken classes, read the books, got the camera, etc., but I'm never really happy with how the quilts look in photos. I can work on the color in my Photoshop Elements (not ready for full blown Photoshop!), and get it pretty true to the original color, but I thinks it's the whole "staging" process that has leaves the photos a little lackluster. Do I drape the quilt over a chair?It might look more casual, but then you can't see the pattern. Then I try laying it in the grass outdoors:

Maybe better - at least you can see what it is. But as I look across the yard, there is the pool, sitting there with the exact same beautiful aqua colors that are in my quilt. What if I position the quilt next to the pool?

I'm hopeless.

But, I also have another lovely little quilt to show off. I didn't make it, but Heather, my daughter did. She made it for her grandmother to celebrate her 80th birthday this next weekend.

I think it's beautiful. I just wish Heather could have come with it!

Best laid planstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551e74f16883301538eb0bc6a970b2011-05-24T12:58:21-07:002011-05-24T12:58:21-07:00A few weeks ago I was reading my friend Beth's blog, and I really liked a quilt she was working on. It's a wonderfully simple Churn Dash and Stars that she found here. I love her patriotic version, but I...Nancy Tokarz

A few weeks ago I was reading my friend Beth's blog, and I really liked a quilt she was working on. It's a wonderfully simple Churn Dash and Stars that she found here. I love her patriotic version, but I was imagining a throw quilt to put at the end of the bed in our guest room. That room is "done" in light aqua and chocolate brown (so 2 years ago!), but it lacks any pizazz. The quilt has an optical illusion of circular motion, that appeals to me, without having to piece any curves, plus it only needs three fabrics to look fabulous. What was I waiting for? I hurried down to the quilt shop, and after some deliberation - (is this enough contrast, are the colors perfect, do I really want these?) I made my purchase and couldn't wait to get started. Not that I don't have a ton of unfinished projects waiting for me, but this one has a purpose, an immediate need, right? I was a little apprehensive about my aqua fabric. It's a little on the light side, but I didn't choose a chocolate brown, I went with a more medium version, so it will be fine, right?

Just to make sure, I decided to scan my fabric choices into EQ7, and work up the design with my fabrics.

Okay, it's a little heavy on the brown, but I think I can live with it. So, I cut out all of the blocks, and put all of the churn dash blocks together. Wow! This is really going together fast! Next step, the star blocks. I put the first two together, and as I was working on them, the doubt started creeping in. Time to lay out these two blocks with a few of the churn dash blocks and check out the contrast.

I almost couldn't see the star blocks. The aqua in this photo is actually brighter than the real thing. I knew that I would never like the way the blocks would work together because I would totally lose the circular motion that I love so much. Plus, I don't need another unfinished project to hide away in my closet. Out comes my aqua/turquoise fabric stash, and I start cutting all over again. I'm much happier with the results, even though the "simple three color quilt" went by the wayside. I have the top, without borders, pieced, and you can tell by the two blocks of the original aqua fabric that I left in that I made the right decision. They almost disappear!

Now, what am I going to do about the border?

Mother's Day Delimmatag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551e74f168833014e884b7fa1970d2011-05-07T10:07:38-07:002011-05-07T10:07:38-07:00Every year before Mother's Day, I start to worry about what to do for my Mom. In the past there has been countless bottles of perfume, blouses, purses, gift cards for pedicures - you name it, I've been there. For...Nancy Tokarz

Every year before Mother's Day, I start to worry about what to do for my Mom. In the past there has been countless bottles of perfume, blouses, purses, gift cards for pedicures - you name it, I've been there. For some reason, I always feel like the gifts fall flat. Not that she isn't very appreciative - I know she is. I just feel like I fall into the habit of the "typical" Mother's Day gift. And besides that, I know what she would really prefer is just spending time with us. So this year, in addition to having dinner together, along with my brother and sister-in-law, I tried to think of doing something she really needs or wants. Mom doesn't ever ask for anything material, but sometimes she needs help with certain things.

When I woke up this morning, I suddenly remembered that Mom had asked me to thread a bunch of needles for her because she can't see well enough to do it anymore. Apparently, they have buttons falling off right and left over at their house, and this has become a problem. Well, how can I turn something so simple into something of a "gift"? I know if I just hand her a bunch of threaded needles, she'll probably lose them before she ever needs one. So, with very little time left, and no pattern or plan, I started sewing up a little "Threaded Needle Keeper".

I used four pieces of fabric that were left over from a Moda "layer cake" group. (10" squares) I quilted two layers together and did some quick machine quilting on it. Then I just added a few pockets, felt for needle parking, elastic to hold the thread, bound it and here you go.

I threaded five needles with each color, leaving the thread on the spools. She can just grab the first needle in line, pull out enough thread, which will be traveling through the other four needles as she goes, and then clip the thread the length she needs. The other four needles will still be threaded and waiting for the next project. In the pockets, I put some easy-threading needles for her to try, along with some needle threaders. I will have to give her instructions how to do it, but at least this might help when she has another button to sew on.

Now, what am I going to do for my mother-in-law?

I really need to focustag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551e74f168833014e88277cbe970d2011-04-29T12:28:01-07:002011-04-29T12:28:01-07:00Late last year, I was really inspired by a "Mystery Quilt" project that Bonnie Hunter had on her blog. Roll, Roll Cotton Boll was her offering for 2010. I had done the Carolina Christmas quilt in 2009, and loved using...Nancy Tokarz

Late last year, I was really inspired by a "Mystery Quilt" project that Bonnie Hunter had on her blog. Roll, Roll Cotton Boll was her offering for 2010. I had done the Carolina Christmas quilt in 2009, and loved using up alot of old scraps. So, of course, I dove in. What I didn't take into consideration was my schedule in November and December (being gone for 2 weeks at Christmas, let alone - it was Christmas time!). In any case, I gathered up all of my stash fabrics, and sorted through them, finding exactly what I was going to use. I did pretty well with the first few releases of instructions, and then it kind of got away from me. Long story short - this project has taken over my sewing room for the past several months, and I'm determined to finish it! I managed to get it all cut out, and even have the blocks done -

It's such an odd color grouping, but I'm moving forward with it. The pink/green/brown segments will be the border.

Even though the colors are not what I would ordinarily choose, somehow, it's starting to look okay. See those string pieced blocks? Those took forever to do! The nice part is that I was able to use up some really old, no so nice fabric in them. See the little bumble bee strip - it's some fabric I bought on a trip to New Zealand many years ago. Why did I buy it? I have no idea.

At this point, I've only sewn two rows (of ten) together. But, I can see the light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel. Of course, then I'll have to put together that border! This is a very large quilt, when all is done.

While I work on a project like this, I spend most of my time thinking about my next project (or two or three projects). I guess that's why there are always so many unfinished things laying around. At some point in the last 20 years, I bought these. I don't remember where, when, or for how much, but they just "spoke" to me:

I have 27 of them. I have images of the finished quilt floating around in my head. I really, really want to get started on them, but not until my Roll, Roll, Cottonboll is done. Aren't these sweet?

Where have I been?tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551e74f16883301538dfbb297970b2011-04-19T15:06:56-07:002011-04-19T15:06:56-07:00So, I decided that I really needed to update my blog, since I haven't posted anything for several weeks, when I discovered that it's been since DECEMBER!!! What the heck have I been doing? I really have been busy, mostly...Nancy Tokarz

So, I decided that I really needed to update my blog, since I haven't posted anything for several weeks, when I discovered that it's been since DECEMBER!!! What the heck have I been doing? I really have been busy, mostly at my job, but I've also gotten a few quilty things accomplished. (Although never as much as I would like to!) We had a marvelous Christmas in Seattle with our family, and since then it's been lots of hours at work. But - in between times, I have managed to get a few things done.

In keeping with my task of completing some quilts with some very old stash fabrics, I decided to do a pink and purple one. I actually finished the top in 2010, but didn't get it quilted until earlier this year. This was another "Nickle" quilt.

The hot pink border was a bit much for my taste, but it did use up some fabric! Here's a close up of some of those old scraps.

I think I'm done with some of these random scrap quilts for awhile.

What I really love doing is applique, and I was intrigued by the new book "Rose of Sharon Block Book" by Sharon Pederson. She has partnered with the Alzheimer's Quilt Initiative in publishing this book. It was presented, primarily as a machine applique project, but I love the opportunity to do hand applique. they are great "take along" projects. We've gone on a couple of camping trips recently, and I've managed to get through three of the blocks. I'm doing them as a "block of the month" with Quilt N Bee in Cache, OK. You can find out more about this at www.quiltnbee.biz.

Here is what I've managed to finish so far:

I promise not to be gone too long this time. After all, I'll be starting on Block 4 shortly.

Is Christmas really just around the corner?tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551e74f1688330148c6a7be30970c2010-12-12T14:22:00-07:002010-12-12T14:22:00-07:00It’s hard to get in the Christmas frame of mind today. No tree up, no decorations, and it’s very warm outside: Weather in Phoenix, Arizona 75°F · (°C) Wind: 5 mph NW Humidity: 18% Of course, for the first time...Nancy Tokarz
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>It’s hard to get in the Christmas frame of mind today.&#160; No tree up, no decorations, and it’s very warm outside:</p> <h4> <p><a href="http://www.bing.com/weather/search?q=weather&amp;unit=F&amp;qpvt=weather">Weather in Phoenix, Arizona </a></p> <p></a>75°F · <a href="http://www.bing.com/results.aspx?q=Weather+Celsius&amp;FORM=Z8RE">(°C)</a></p> </h4> <p>Wind: 5 mph NW</p> <p>Humidity: 18%</p> <p>Of course, for the first time ever, our Christmas won’t be here.&#160; We’ll be here:</p> <p>&#160;</p> <h4> <p><a href="http://www.bing.com/weather/search?q=weather&amp;unit=F&amp;qpvt=weather">Weather in Seattle, Washington </a><a href="http://www.safeweb.norton.com"><img src="symres:sb_safeannotation.png" /></a></p> <p>56°F · <a href="http://www.bing.com/results.aspx?q=Weather+Celsius&amp;FORM=Z8RE">(°C)</a></p> </h4> <p>Wind: 13 mph S</p> <p>Humidity: 89%</p> <p>Somehow, I think once we are there, surrounded by family, it will be just perfect for Christmas! </p></div>
Trailer quilt (and Ruby)tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551e74f16883301348968a353970c2010-11-21T11:30:49-07:002010-11-21T11:30:49-07:00Last year (actually, it was September of 2009) I posted about a quilt I made from "Nickle Quilts" by Pat Speth. I used up a lot of my blue scraps to create that quilt, many of the scraps up to...Nancy Tokarz

Last year (actually, it was September of 2009) I posted about a quilt I made from "Nickle Quilts" by Pat Speth. I used up a lot of my blue scraps to create that quilt, many of the scraps up to 25 years old. In the process of making that quilt, I had to do a whole of of triangle squares. I don't know what happened, but during the mindless activity of sewing those triangle squares together, I realized I did almost twice as many as I needed to. All year long, that pile of triangle squares has been dogging me, everytime I'd going into the sewing room. I finally decided to put them to use, but I didn't want another blue quilt. That's kind of hard to avoid when all of the little blocks are some shade of blue. I combined a simple shoo fly block with another simple block (again, from "Nickle Quilts") and added other colors to try to perk this up.

This quilt is actually a twin sized quilt. I have no twin sized beds in my home, but, we have a narrow bunk in our travel trailer that could really use some color. This will do the job, I think.

I used lot's of old fabric:

Added in some newer fabrics:

And then there was combinations of both:

I didn't have enough of the triangle squares to do a border all of the way around, so I pulled out some extra fabric of a dark teal paisley (I made my neice a jumper out of this when she was about 10). She is now a mother of 4!)

And of course, here's Ruby. I actually managed to snap a photo of her while she was still for a half of a second!

Grandkids and dogstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551e74f1688330133f5cc00aa970b2010-11-12T10:41:52-07:002010-11-12T10:41:52-07:00It's been awhile since I've featured my grandchildren, and they are growing so fast! We were very lucky to spend some extra time with them this fall on a fishing trip to Woods Canyon Lake during The boys are very...Nancy Tokarz

It's been awhile since I've featured my grandchildren, and they are growing so fast! We were very lucky to spend some extra time with them this fall on a fishing trip to Woods Canyon Lake during The boys are very excited about fishing right now, and they spent alot of time "practicing". Of course, Lindsey wasn't going to be left out (or Ruby, for that matter)! What's better than practicing from the boat? So what if the boat isn't in the water yet.

It has been many, many years since Andy and I were actually at Woods Canyon Lake. It's usually too crowded in the summertime, but in the fall, it's perfect.

Just last weekend, we stopped by to pick up Noah to visit the Jones' family new puppy. While getting him, I managed to snap a photo of Noah and Aiden. Aiden tends to shy away from the camera, but I got him this time! He started kindergarten this year, and loves it.

We finally got to spend some time with the new family member, Ginger. She's 8 weeks old in this photo. She's a Viszhla, and a real cutie. Of course, so are my grandchildren!

A little somethingtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551e74f1688330134887b2705970c2010-10-26T08:04:14-07:002010-10-26T08:04:14-07:00While it seems I've been in the sewing room alot, I don't have much to show for it. How does that happen? I did finish this little quilt last month - another of Fig Tree Club's offering from this year....Nancy Tokarz

While it seems I've been in the sewing room alot, I don't have much to show for it. How does that happen? I did finish this little quilt last month - another of Fig Tree Club's offering from this year.

I love the fabrics, but the assembly of the blocks was a little odd. I love to have precision in my piecing, and they way these blocks came together, there was a little guesswork in placing the corner triangles. But, it still works. This was a great piece to practice my machine quilting.

Now, I don't come close to the gorgeous quilting that I see on several blogs, but, I like the funky, homespun look that my quilts have. Especially after they have been washed. That really brings them to life! I practiced my "Hooked on Feathers" and some simple loop de loops on this one. It went really fast.

Just another little quilt for the collection.

They say it's falltag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551e74f168833013487cdb17c970c2010-09-28T14:33:04-07:002010-09-28T14:33:04-07:00But it really doesn't feel like it here. With the temperatures hovering around 105 degrees for the past week, and forcasted for the rest of this week, it's really hard to think autumn. But, I think it's that way every...Nancy Tokarz

But it really doesn't feel like it here. With the temperatures hovering around 105 degrees for the past week, and forcasted for the rest of this week, it's really hard to think autumn. But, I think it's that way every year. By the time the end of September comes, it seems like a little break from the heat is deserved! To try to get into the "fall" mood, I made a little table runner with a fall theme. I've wanted to do this for the past couple of years, but finally just did it. I used scraps from my stash, and just combined several maple leaf blocks, a basket block, and some flying geese. The centerpiece was an applique block from Sue Spargo's collection. I had to do a last minute "design change" because I miss-cut my block after the applique was done, and knew if I set it in a straight set, the error would be glaring! So, I turned it on point, added some fall colored setting triangles, and there you go.

I've been really practicing my free motion machine quilting, and this piece was a sort of practice piece. I really love Sally Terry's "Hooked on Feathers" technique, making the borders super fast.

A little more detail:

Aren't those borders great? I really don't have to know anything about precision machine quilting in order to get a pretty decent finished piece. I just wish there was more time for more quilts!